Having a try at my first Green Cay Villas (only) trip report. This was our 5th trip to SXM (Orient Beach) and our 4th time staying at Green Cay Villas, 3rd trip booked thru Jim & Mary Ruos of Caribbean Islands Travel Service<br>How we discovered Green Cay --<br>A few years ago whilst surfing the net looking for places to stay/visit we came across Eric and Carol Hills trip report on Green Cay Villas. ( I Met them on the beach this time, and as promised – I have logged on as a TT member). We found their report extremely thorough, accurate and detailed so there is no need for a lot of details here, however, we will add a few items gleaned from our most recent trip (16 thru 24 June).<br>How was the trip --<br>Arrived in SXM well after dark with another large flight. Many people in line at the Immigration counter, however, having only carry-on luggage, we made up the ‘’in-line time’’ by zipping right past baggage claim, straight to the Hertz Rental counter, and in short order, hit the street en route to Orient Bay.<br>Arriving at the entry drive to the Orient Beach community at 9:00 PM, we noted that the ‘’gate’’ was closed (a drop bar that is raised to let cars pass) and there were at least 3 guards milling about. They had on dark shirts with the words SECURITY GUARD printed on the back. Wife and I peered out the windshield and waved at the guard nearest the gate and without further ado – we were allowed to pass. Scooting around to Green Cay’s Entry we encountered another guard, with the same shirt, this guard had a LARGE German shepherd dog with him. My not so fluent French and his not so fluent English worked fine and he produced the key to our unit. He instructed me where to park the car and he then escorted us from the car to the unit, and bid us good night. We noticed that the units now have alarms.<br>Day 2 onwards, highlights –<br>We had Villa #16 this time. Previous Villas that we stayed in, #7, 8, 18. All are essentially identical in amenities, etc. Unit 18 has a Jacuzzi. I spoke to the young lady at the reception office and she mentioned that the increased security was recently added for the comfort of their guests. In addition to the guards presence, and alarms in the units there is fencing around the complex. Very well done dark green colored wire fence (not chain link!!). Automobile entry is controlled by a gate where a touch pad code is entered to open the gate (can’t just wave at it). We typically spent our days as follows; wake at about 6:30 AM, then head down to the beach for ‘’the walk’’. Beautiful, easy walk, warm but not the heat of the day, no crowds, etc. Returning to the unit, we ate a leisurely breakfast then floated about in the pool until it was time (9:30AM) to head back to the beach and claim our sun beds and umbrella. We found the beach at Club Orient to be the best. Friendly people all around (well, I think they were friendly, because all they were wearing was a smile) and lots of room to move about. Lunch at Papagayo’s, then more resting until about 3:30 PM when it was time to return to the villa and float about in the pool. Day after day, much the same, but then we were on vacation… and then it was time to leave.<br>Follow-up -- <br>Received a follow-up call from Mary Ruos a few days after we returned home, asking if all went well. Yes, all went well, except that the time seems to have flown by much too fast. Oh, well time to plan for our NEXT trip.<br>What to bring –<br>Sun block with SPF-45 rating. We used it frequently throughout the day and returned home quite brown from head to toe. Food - Following the advice of the previously referenced E & C Hill travel report, we brought breakfast cereal, coffee (the coffee provided by Green Cay was a bit too strong for our taste), a 5-litre box of wine (wine-lovers-R-us), and some snack foods. We considered bringing some meat, etc. for cooking on the grill, however we felt that they would likely be quite thawed out by the time we arrived. In any case these things CAN be bought on the island. Also, beach reading books help pass the time.<br>Liked the best – The Villa ! Shortly after arriving for our first visit we discovered that one can move about within the entire villa and use the pool as ‘’nature’’ intended, in fact we declared our villa a Naturist villa. Other niceties, the salon (living room) has a stereo and a cable (satellite) TV system and Video Player, to help keep up with the outside world. The bedroom is air-conditioned and also has a small TV. The office also has a room set up for Internet use, (Windows 98, MS Internet Explorer 5.0) however if you are not familiar with the French words for the various buttons on Internet Explorer, things could get interesting. They all work the same, however they are written in French, mai oui, we are on la Francais side n’est pas? Dining out – no restaurant at Green Cay, however a short walk (or drive) away is Café’ Plantation at La Plantation resort, and Coco Beach Restaurant at Esmeralda resort. Slightly further away is Papagayo’s at Club Orient. Even further away, Mary’s Boon. This place is literally just off the right wing of your airplane as you land in the island. Had a great meal there prior to checking in for our flight home.<br>Things we did not like -- Airfare, American Airlines, booked in February, well in advance $ 989.00, each, round trip, thru Travelocity.com, searching for best/lowest fare. I suppose we could have left mid-week for some savings. Did not like seeing all the construction going on just behind the beach. We feel that this will likely change the atmosphere of the beach area and surrounds from ‘’pleasant’’ to ‘’congested’’. <br>Future Plans – I will try writing another ‘’short’’ trip report.<br><br><br><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Administrator on 7/6/01 01:19 PM.</EM></FONT></P>